Feels!

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 16: Former Public Protector; Advocate Thuli Madonsela speaks during a media conference at the Cape Town Press Club on January 16, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. When asked whether she would avail herself for the countrys to job, Madonsela said she has no desire to run for South Africas presidency. (Photo by Gallo Images / Die Burger / Lulama Zenzile)

TimesLive photographer Alaistair Russell captured an incredible picture after the High court in Pretoria which ruled Jacob Zuma must personally pay the legal fees for his appeals against releasing Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture report.

Judge Dunstan Mlambo slammed Zuma for an “ill-advised” review. It was a big moment and former public protector Thuli Madonsela was visibly emotional at the ruling.

She sat in the public gallery and spoke to the press afterwards.

“We knew that judges are the ultimate guardians of the Constitution and could reach a different decision and I am quite happy that they saw the matter the way we did‚” she said.

“I would think that this kind of decision by the court is trying to say to people ‘please pause‚ please think about the implications for good governance and implications for the use of taxpayers’ monies’.”

Judge Mlambo did not hold back in his ruling.

“We are of the view that (Zuma) was ill-advised and reckless in launching the challenge against the remedial actions of the Public Protector. His court challenge further delayed the resolution of the state capture challenge allegations.

“The Public Protector has uncovered worrying levels of malfeasance and corruption in the form of utter disregard of good corporate governance principles‚ some bordering on fraud in government departments and SOEs. His conduct also falls far short of the expectation of him as head of state to support institutions of democracy such as the public protector.”

The ruling was welcomed all-round – by the opposition and the ruling party. And one picture captured the moment perfectly.

Mandonsela burst into [happy] tears after the ruling and photographer Alaister Russell clicked at just the right moment.

It’ll get you right in the feels.

If you can’t see the image below, check it out on the TimesLive website.